Laboratory Manager

We are excited to partner with a rapidly expanding leader in the food industry, to find an experienced Laboratory Manager. As the company continues to grow, this role will play a pivotal part in overseeing all analytical procedures and tests within the plant lab. The Laboratory Manager will be responsible for ensuring the lab operates efficiently to meet both scientific and business needs, collaborating with departments including Quality Management, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Research & Development. This position also involves supervising and leading a team of Quality professionals while ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Location: approximately 20min outside of Visalia, CA (relocation assistance available)

Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee the laboratory, laboratory equipment, and all tests run at the plant. Including new equipment qualification, new product qualification on equipment, calibration, maintenance, and repairs.

• Manage the process and schedules for laboratory supplies, equipment maintenance and new equipment purchasing. Work cross-functionally to recommend, initiate, and complete all capital expenditures and PO’s for new equipment and coordinate installations.

• Approve and/or lead laboratory investigations regarding abnormal and out-of-spec results.

• Manage disposition for holds associated with out-of-spec analytical and micro testing results.

• Develop, approve, and maintain SOP’s and protocols. Manage and document all associated training.

• Responsible for maintaining the internal calibration program for the plant.

• Work closely with the LAB relay and the plant QC to understand and maintain the proficiency and SRM Program(s).

• Maintain knowledge and understanding of GMP/GLP and ISO requirements.

• Maintain working knowledge of SAP, including product/material release, trace exercises, and report generation.

• Maintain awareness of all services offered, as well as a basic understanding of current compendia procedures and methods pertaining to analytical testing.

• Collaborate with the central lab during troubleshooting, sample design, testing, result interpretations, equipment purchase, and any follow-up required to resolve issues.

• Partner with the QA Manager to ensure the development and execution of the plant sensory program.

• Oversee the factory shelf-life program, ensuring the program is properly executed and data is readily available for reporting.

• Assist in the identification and achievement of facility Quality KPI’s through appropriate corrective/preventive actions and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Supervise calibration activities, structuring and coordinating the efforts of the technical staff, and directing the resolution of any problems that may arise during testing.

• Support the training program for all factory employees on analytical testing as needed.

• Responsible for providing daily, monthly, quarterly or annual reports as needed.

• Manage, train, and develop lab team members through mentoring, coaching, coordination, assignment of goals, and individual development plans. Provide feedback on an ongoing basis. Address concerns effectively. Partner with HR on employee relations issues.

• Structure and organize the efforts of the lab team in all areas related to testing, such as scheduling and assigning staff time to meet factory needs.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all inquiries when the Quality Director is not on site.

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Food Science, or a related field is required.

• 5 years of experience in a laboratory or similar setting; dairy experience strongly preferred.

• 5 years of experience managing direct reporting team members is required.

• Strong basic laboratory skills (Chemistry and Microbiology)

• Strong mathematics knowledge, including stoichiometry and statistics.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Strong ability to communicate across all levels of an organization.

• Ability to effectively train diverse groups on methodologies and procedures.

• Strong computer skills with a working knowledge of Word, Excel, SAP, and PowerPoint for report writing and presentations.

• Ability to prioritize and manage projects in a changing, complex environment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Laboratory: 3 years (Required)
• Management: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Tulare, CA 93274 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tulare, CA 93274: Relocate with an employer provided relocation package (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100,000 - $115,000